Hollywood Gets Crafty - Knitting And Crocheting Not Just For Grandma Anymore

Sometimes it's hard to imagine that the stars who shine so brightly on cinematic screens are people just like the rest of us. We often think that their lives are so much more interesting and exciting than our own and that we have little or nothing in common with the Hollywood crowd.

Well, it may surprise you to know that at least some of today's hottest stars enjoy perfectly normal leisure activities that we might acquaint more readily with something your grandmother enjoys doing.

I'm talking about crafts. More specifically, knitting and crocheting. These two activities are especially hot in recent years and Hollywood stars and other celebrities are certainly not immune to the lure of a relaxing evening spent with a crochet hook or knitting needles and a skein of yarn or two.

Indeed, some stars seem to be particularly captivated - some might even say addicted --by these old-time traditional activities. Julia Roberts, for example, is now well-known as a knitting enthusiast who loves to knit sweaters and was once photographed knitting on the set of a movie she was working on.

Other well-known knitters include Madonna, Sandra Bullock, Sarah Jessica Parker and Hilary Swank. Not to be left out, some well known celebrity men have decided that knitting is not just an activity for women. Tough-guy actor Russell Crowe and former NFL player Rosie Grier have made no secret of the fact that they enjoy it as well.

And who didn't see the TV footage of Martha Stewart and her now-famous "Coming Home" poncho that she was wearing during her trip home to Connecticut after completion of her sentence at Alderson Federal Prison in West Virginia?

The poncho was reportedly crocheted especially for Martha by one of her fellow inmates and after it appeared on TV, it seemed every knit and crochet addict in the country had to have the pattern. There was so much demand for the pattern that it crashed the server that hosts Lion Brand's web site soon after they posted a version of the pattern there.

And it's not just celebrities that are knitting and crocheting in record numbers. Manufacturers of yarn and other craft supplies report that sales are way up in recent years. One of the best-known yarn manufacturers, Lion Brand, reports that their sales have doubled in the last year alone. Granted, celebrities have a lot of money, but still, I don't believe they are solely responsible for Lion Brand's recent success!

It's hard to know just what may have triggered all the recent interest in these activities that have been around for so many years. Some believe that the terrible events on 9/11 have influenced people to focus more on home life and simple, more traditional activities. Others suggest that these activities are a nice contrast and welcome respite from lives that have become far too hectic in the wake of the new millennium.

Enthusiasts report that knitting or crocheting can be a very relaxing activity that also provides a nice sense of accomplishment upon the completion of a project. It's also a great way to create gifts for friends of loves ones that have that personal touch - so much more so than something purchased at the shopping mall.

Some also cherish the traditional aspect of these activities and still harbor fond memories of a beloved relative that took the time to pass along a skill that has endured through countless generations. A skill that they intend to pass down to their children as well.

Whatever the motivation, there's no question that these traditional activities are experiencing a revival of sorts. There are many possible explanations, however I suspect that speculation and statistics don't interest these enthusiasts as keenly as their plan for the next project they intend to tackle just as soon as the finishing touches have been applied to the current project.

MADTech Series -- Social Media AnalyticsMadison.comWe all know social media is important in spreading your reach. It's the new word of mouth— people referencing, referring, and occasionally recommending you or your product or service. But what are social media insights actually telling you and how can ...

Madison Travel Circle presents Arts and Crafts ThailandMadison.comDiscover the many arts and crafts of Thailand and the communities that make them with Lori Fleury. OTOP: One Tambon (Village) One Product was created for the late King Adulyadej of Thailand, to encourage village communities to improve local product ...

Fix-a-Flat Bike Tire ClassMadison.comMachinery Row Bicycles hosts free, small group fix-a-flat tire classes every Tuesday from May to August. Classes are open to anyone wanting to learn. To participate, just show up at the shop and we'll provide all the tools. We do recommend bringing ...

Finished!MyCentralJersey.comI started last week with three sweaters on the needles that were fairly close to finishing. I've already written about the Deborah Newton yoke sweater for which I ran out of aqua yarn. Then there was the Kiama sweater that I started last summer and ...

"Memoirs of a Freelance Magazine Photographer" with Brynn BruijnMadison.comA freelance photographer, Brynn Bruijn began her career as an underwater photographer in Saudi Arabia. She then lived in Europe for twenty-five years and was a regular contributor to numerous European and American magazines. magazines including: ...

House Painting — Tips from a ProMadison.comLearn how to freshen up your home with a new look. Get house painting tips at the Verona Public Library on Wednesday, May 16, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Eric Welch, professional painter, will share tips and techniques for the do-it-yourself painter, including ...

How to Brew Beer At HomeMadison.comAre you curious about brewing and want to learn the basics of brewing beer at home? This 2-hour beginner homebrewing class is the perfect place to learn! Join Ben Feifarek, owner of the Wine and Hop Shop in Madison, to learn the brewing beer process ...

Etched Copper PendantsMadison.comLearn basic metal etching concepts and materials in this hands-on jewelry-making workshop! You will create a etched copper pendant will learning metal preparation, use of resist, etching baths and finishing your pendant. We concentrate on designs that ...

Mother's Day Floral SoireeMadison.comWhether you start Mother's Day with breakfast in bed or a decadent restaurant brunch, you are going to want to stop at Revel afterwards for an afternoon of DIYs, beautiful {paper} blooms and more! The Floral Soiree will be a relaxed and inviting event ...

Google News

RELATED ARTICLESDo You Really Know What You're Buying?
Recently, I had the opportunity to attend a popular gift show in my local area. My purpose in attending this gift show was to scope out my competition and the quality of their soy candles compared to what I offer.
Working With Leather
This can be as simple & basic Or advanced & professional.There are many books, booklets, pamphlets, reprints, even articles describing how to assemble a simple article cut from a basic design which is purchased as a kit from a supplier.
How To Make a Pinata
MATERIALSA Large Round or Oval BalloonNewspaper, torn into 1 inch by 6-8" inch stripsWhite computer paper or paper towels,
torn into stripsFlour and water mixture for paper mache pasteSaltVegetable oilPaintTissue paperCrepe paperString or yarn for hangingINSTRUCTIONSPrepare:Prepare your work surface with a layer of newspaper you can discard, or an old plastic tablecloth you can wipe clean of goop and glops which are part of this messy project!Tear several pages of newspaper into strips, approximately 1 inch wide by 6-8 inches long. Don't try to be neat and cut them with scissors; the torn edges will adhere more closely and give a smoother overall surface to the finished pinata.
Money Making Hobby - Do You Have One?
Everyone has a hobby. We love all kinds of music, sports, movies, books.
How to Make a Simple Gemstone Necklace
With gemstone beads, every bead is precious. Every bead is beautiful.
How To Make Your Own Gift Baskets
Haven't you always wanted to give someone a beautiful gift basket, but didn't have a clue how to put one together? Gift baskets are such a wonderful gift and can be given for any occasion. Let me tell you how to make such an amazing gift basket even you won't believe you've made it!First, start with your "basket".
Plastic, Zinc, Brass, Embossing and Marking Stencils
Marking StencilsStencil is a cut-out form for an alphabets, numbers, symbols and illustrations. Embossing and Marking Stencils provide quality of work and save plenty of time.
Airbrush for Profit - Sell Your Services to Colleges
Colleges, schools, university and the like are one way you can make money from airbrushing. Why they are a good market is that there are plenty of students to begin with.
A Look at Cabinet Humidors
Cabinet humidors are specially designed for the serious cigar aficionado. Much more of an investment than a small desktop humidor that can hold 100 to 200 cigars, cabinet humidors can be as small as a standing chest, can hold up to 8000 cigars or more, can measure as much as four feet wide by 20 inches deep and over six feet in height or larger and resemble a large bookcase, and can cost from the high hundreds of dollars to thousands of dollars.
Candle Maintenance
Many people don't know that you can actually improve the quality of the flame you get from your candles. Some people think that if a flame is too large or you are getting excess soot that it is the makers fault.
Scrapbook Photos -- Getting Adventurous With Your Layouts
When you have selected the photos for your scrapbook, you'll need to decide how best to lay them out on the pages. Don't feel obliged to follow any principles that don't suit your own design.
Embroidery Machine Use by New Owners for Good Results
Many new home embroidery machine owners have to learn on their own with little instructions and thus have to resort to the "trial and error" methods to get satisfactory results. One can certainly learn to embroidery this way but it takes time, money and patience.
Make Origami
Origami is a wonderful and elegant art. It has been developed and embraced over the past 2,000 years by young and old alike.
Invitation Envelopes - Make or Break Your Party
What will separate your party from all the other events of the season? Of all the planning that goes into your special occasion, there is no excuse to forget about specialty envelopes. Your invitation is the first impression that you and your party will have.
Use Order and Text to Give Life to Your Scrapbook
There are no specific rules stating that all photographs or mementos must be placed in chronological order. Therefore, it is completely up you the order you wish to place your items and embellishments.
The ABCs of Ceramics
Ceramics can be delicate and decorative or unrefined and utilitarian. Bone china, porcelain, stoneware and earthenware - this month we'll review them all.
Photograph Mosaics and Markers in Your Scrapbooks
An attractive technique for placing photographs into scrapbooks is the photograph mosaic. Mosaics stretch photographs into an artistic rendition of the original photograph.
Woodworking: The Best Wood For Beginners
Woodworking: Know Your WoodWood is made of cellulose fibers, held together with a property called lignin, and is classified as hardwood or softwood, depending on the type of tree from which it comes. In addition, sapwood or new growth wood on a tree is still alive, while heartwood refers to the part of the tree that is no longer functioning.
Gourd Enthusiasm Growing Around the World
Gourds played an essential role in the daily life of early cultures. Commonly used as containers and vessels, they were also used for musical instruments.
How Could Your Hobby be the Key to Financial Success?
Virtually everyone has the knowledge they need to make a fortune. Everyone has an interest, hobby or has knowledge about a particular subject.